Akshay Kumar to start martial arts school!

Mumbai, Feb. 4 -- Before Akshay Kumar became an actor, he was a professional martial arts trainer. Now, over two decades later, the star is set to revisit his past for a social initiative that he is undertaking with Yuva Sena chief Aaditya Thackeray.

By May this year, Akshay and Aaditya will inaugurate a martial arts training institute for women in Mumbai. This will be the first of many such schools that the duo plans to open across Maharashtra.

"The first one should be operational by the end of May at the Andheri Sports Complex. The idea is to train women of all age groups in self-defence techniques," says an insider. The basic training that will be offered here will be three months long and free of cost for those interested.

Aaditya further explains that the training imparted won't be "complicated". Instead, it will be "basic and will involve learning simple forms of martial arts that are practical for each and every person." He adds, "I am happy that Akshayji has taken up this cause and we are doing it together. It will be free-of cost for women who want to learn, they will be taught by professionals and by Akshayji himself. We will take this across the state."

Confirming his association, Akshay says, "I am thankful to Aaditya Thackeray for coming up with the idea and also lending his complete support. This initiative is very close to my heart." Not many know that back in the '80s, after Akshay earned a black belt in Taekwondo in India, he travelled to Bangkok to further study the martial arts. After he learnt Muay Thai there, he returned to Mumbai and became a martial arts trainer.